Wet leaves

These leaves fascinate me. They are the sludge left at the bottom of the birdbath, They have been under water for at least 3 months (and even ice sometimes!) and yet they still retain their form and colour to a great extent. This was taken through 3 inches of water.
Although I am an avid gardener in the summer I avoid it when it is cold. I must get out there and clean up a bit. There are lots of leaves to sweep, plants to cut back and bushes to prune. But maybe I will leave it a little while yet!